December in New York averages highs of 7 °C (45 °F) and lows of 0 °C (32 °F), with about 9 rainy days and 9 h 16 min of daylight.
December weather in New York at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit New York?
Tough month: cold and some rain. December is usually high season in New York: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
- Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day public holiday
- Rockefeller Center tree and holiday windows event
- New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square event
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in New York in December
With cold days in December, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- The Met — pay-what-you-wish only for New York State residents indoors
- Top of the Rock or Edge — skyline views indoors
- Central Park — walk or bike outdoors
- Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO — sunrise or sunset outdoors
- High Line and Chelsea Market outdoors
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island — first ferry outdoors
Where to stay: Midtown for first-timers; Lower East Side or the Village for food; Brooklyn (Williamsburg) for value and views.
What to pack for New York in December
- A warm winter coat, hat and gloves: it rarely gets above 7 °C (45 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 9 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in New York costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | $90–200 | $250–500 |
Excluding flights. December is usually high season in New York: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | 22° / 8° | 2 | Great time to go |
| Reykjavik | 2° / -3° | 15 | Tough month |
| Dublin | 10° / 5° | 12 | Tough month |
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit New York?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 7 °C (45 °F) and about 9 rainy days. December is usually high season in New York: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are May, June, September, October.
How warm is New York in December?
Average highs are 7 °C (45 °F) and lows 0 °C (32 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in New York in December?
Expect about 9 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 115 mm in total. It is the 6th wettest month of the year in New York.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.